Taste Washington wine and food event bigger than ever

Taste Washington is expanding it’s wine and food event to two days. (Image courtesy Taste Washington)

Washington’s biggest wine event is getting even bigger.

“It’s already the nation’s largest single region wine and
food event, but this year it’s bigger and better than
ever,” said Dave Blandford, with the Seattle Convention
Center and Visitor’s Bureau, speaking about Taste
Washington, coming up at the CenturyLink Event Center
March 31 to April 1.

“We’ve actually expanded it from one day to two days,”
said Blandford, in an appearance on Northwest Vine Time. “So it really takes
up the whole weekend.”

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Northwest Vine Time

The event will feature over 200 wineries and 50 area
restaurants. There will be several seminars on food and
wine pairings, including presentations from Seattle
Kitchen host and Northwest restaurateur Tom Douglas and
the crew from celebrated Seattle restaurant Canlis.

“It’s so easy to taste, talk, sample food, and take some
seminars,” said Blandford. “Everything is right there for
you.”

Blandford said a main benefit of the event for Northwest
wine enthusiasts is having everything in one place.

“It’s a wonderful trek to do wine tasting in Eastern
Washington or throughout Oregon, but bang for buck – one
weekend, one city, all of those fantastic wineries and
restaurateurs in one great place,” said Blandford. “It’s
a fantastic deal.”

Tickets for the event start at $75. VIP passes can be
purchased for $125 and provide early entry, which
Blandford said, “really gives you a jump start.”

Blandford also recommends coming up with a game plan
before the event to get the most out of the experience.

“You can certainly strategize your visit to Taste
Washington by going to the website TasteWashington.org, and you can actually
download the event program so you can surf the map, see
what’s featured, really stake out your claim for wine and
food and seminars and all that good stuff before you go.”

Taste
Washington will be held at the CenturyLink Events
Center March 31-April 1.

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By JAMIE GRISWOLD, MyNorthwest.com Editor